“More Here Than Just Friendship” – Creator Neil Druckmann Reveals the Importance of the ‘Photo Booth’ Scene in the Last of Us

The World of the Last of Us is about survival and adaptability. In this harsh land, finding shelter and food every day is the biggest and most vital concern. In the hunt for necessities, there is no place and time for amenities. Having fun and relaxing is a distant dream that is told to kids as legends. 

That is why when the audience witnessed the Mall photo booth scene in the game and the television show there was an uncanny feeling about the whole ordeal that left the question, what was this about? Was it only a casual moment shared by two friends or were there any other deep implications? The creator of the game and co-producer of the show, Neil Druckmann, answers these questions. 

Neil Druckmann explains the ‘Photo Booth’ scene in The Last of Us

Naughty Dog’s Magnum opus gaming series, the Last of Us, tells the story of a world that was ravaged by a weapon of nature, that won the world from the humans and returned everything to the planet. Those who survived either live in barricaded city-like prisons or witness a fate worse than death.

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To survive, young ones aren’t left as strangers to the harshness that will eventually fall on their shoulders. Among violence, training, and discipline, there is no space for playing for having ‘fun’ with friends in this world. However, to live and grow, there are those who always go a great distance to steal a moment for themselves, those who are like Riley. 

Riley is one of the closest people from Ellie’s past and her first love. However, being in such a loveless world, she never got the chance to express her feelings. Although they grew up together and shared a lot of tough times, Ellie always had the fear that if she expresses her true feelings, she will lose her. 

However, the photo booth gave them their first intimate space and let them truly come close to each other. “Ultimately, that moment is about a cracking of the dam, of seeing these girls to telegraph each other, whether consciously or not, that there is more here than just friendship. And that was the purpose of it in the game.” Druckmann explained.

Though the incidents that followed after the moment are nowhere as wholesome as this, the short instance was a breather that let the audience explore more of the characters and understand more about the cruelty of the world. 

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